“Bring what they can. We’re all magic wielders,” Galen added grimly.
“We must keep mothers behind, inland with their children,” Elias stated calmly.
Galen nodded his assent. “But the rest must face the end together. Warriors or not. As Vallenna did once before.”
“We’ll need scouts along the entire western coast,” Tobias said, his voice radiating command.
“That’s Navyrian responsibility,” Simone said, “I’ll dispatch orders to Admiral Dray immediately.”
“I want to know their numbers before they land,” Tobias told her.
“Agreed,” Simone said curtly.
“One of mine will need to be with each ship,” Galen added. “Hawks can’t fly more than a few hours at sea, you’ll need those who can cast wind messages.”
“That would be appreciated, Galen,” Simone replied.
The chamber fell into silence again – but it was the weight of what was to come that caused it. The inevitable fact that many would not survive it.
Tobias’s gaze moved across the chamber. “And I will send word to my son.”
Every member of the Council turned to look at him.
“If he and Lady Hale have been able to unite the Arcanth, it would give us a weapon to match theirs. It could be the best chance we have,” Tobias continued. “We do not know what dark magic this Dracanth wields.”
Merrick tensed. “You would call the traitors to our banners?”
“Navyrians died because of Sebastian Thorne,” Simone snapped.
Elias had bowed his head, but when he lifted it, shame was present on his face. “Even so, Simone, I agree with Galen. It seems they were telling the truth. That they did this to save Vallenna from the Draknor threat. After what we have learnt... I do not believe we can call Lord Thorne and Lady Hale traitors any longer.”
“It’s good strategy. We must use every advantage we have against the Drakens,” Tobias stated, his fists aching with restraint. “If Vallenna falls, it hardly matters what names you give them.”
Evelyn spoke very quietly, but they all listened. “All those in favour of withdrawing condemnation of their actions and calling them to us, please raise your hand.”
When she finished speaking, Evelyn raised her hand, calmly and decisively, looking Tobias in the eye as she did so.
Thank you.
Tobias joined her immediately. Elias followed suit. Quiet and unwavering. Galen lifted his hand with a hard expression, his hands still glowing faintly white. Tobias looked to Merrick. For a long moment he wavered, hand twitching at the table, his pride warring with his pragmatism.
Don’t be a fool, Merrick.
He exhaled sharply and with a scowl, brought his hand up. “Aye,” he ground out.
Simone shook her head as her hand hovered at her side. “I don’t like this. But I wish Navyr to survive.” As it rose, her expression hardened with resolve. “Aye.”
All hands had risen. All except one. Alaric sat rigid, his knuckles white against the table. His hand never moved. His eyes burned as though each raised hand was a personal betrayal.
Galen’s expression hardened. “Alaric–”
“Don’t,” he spat.
Simone leaned forward, attempting understanding. “This is not about pride, it’s about survival–”
“If Vallenna needs the hands of a murderer to survive,” Alaric said coldly, “then we are already defeated.”
Tobias stared him down. “You would see Vallenna burn rather than admit your daughter was right? That all of you nearly put her to the stake for defending my son and trying to save the realm?”
